GILERO, LLC — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and the leading cause of

Description

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and the leading cause of blindness in African Americans. Research shows that the prevalence of glaucoma is expected to increase by 50% in the next 15 years. Although medical treatment with topical eye drops can be effective at reducing the risk of blindness from the disease, many patients with glaucoma do not take their eye drops as prescribed. One reason for glaucoma medication non-adherence is the inability of patients to accurately and safely administer a drop into their eye with traditional eye drop bottles. [Proper adherence to prescribed glaucoma drops requires obtaining medication, successfully instilling a drop into the eye and doing so at the appropriate time interval without missingdoses.] Recent investigations indicate that up to 25% of experienced users cannot administer a drop into the eye under clinical observation and 70% contaminate the tip of the bottle in the process. Many patients with glaucoma have comorbid conditions incl